Almirah Radio Hour

EPISODE 14: GROWING TOGETHER IN DETROIT (FT. BANDHU GARDENS)

This week, Nina interviews Emily Staugaitis and Minara Begum of Bandhu Gardens, an organization in Detroit that's dedicated to amplifying the culinary talent and economic opportunities of Bangladeshi women in the area. You can find Bandhu Gardens online at bandhugardens.com. A huge thank you to Emily, Minara, and Minara's family for sharing an afternoon with us earlier this spring--it's a day we will treasure dearly.

Follow us at @almirahradio. Follow Nina at @onlynina. Follow Sheela at @queenofblah.

Our opening track is "Laung Gawacha" by Nucleya. The interview was recorded by Michael Dwan Singh. Our cover art is by Mili Sethia. Find more of Mili's work at facebook.com/esqueer.

EPISODE 12: SOMETIMES I IDLY GOOGLE HIM

This week, Nina and Sheela discuss playing the activist long game, organizing the Indian community, our favorite Southeast Asian despot, and happy stuff.

Thanks to Kohinoorgasm for letting us showcase her track "Azaadi is Freedom is Fate" this episode. Go check out her stunning album, "Titalee," at kohinoorgasm.bandcamp.com/releases.

Our opening track is "Laung Gawacha" by Nucleya, and our cover art is by the incredible Mili Sethia. Find more of Mili's work at facebook.com/esqueer.

Follow Nina at @onlynina. Follow Sheela at @queenofblah.

EPISODE 11: A SYLLABUS AND SONG FOR CHANGE (FT. NEEL AGRAWAL)

This week, Nina and Sheela discuss feminist comics and reproductive rights. We also interview Neel Agrawal, an LA-based percussionist and librarian about radical librarianship and musical activism. Listen to Neel's music at neelagrawal.com, and learn more about his African drumming law project at africandrumminglaws.org.

Thanks to Sheila Govindarajan for letting us showcase her track "Ima Ima" this episode. Go check out her stunning album, "Lady of the Lake," at govilovemusic.com. Our opening track is "Laung Gawacha" by Nucleya. Original music in this episode by Michael Dwan Singh.

Our new cover art is by the incredible Mili Sethia. Find more of Mili's work at facebook.com/esqueer.

Follow us at @almirahradio. Follow Nina at @onlynina. Follow Sheela at @queenofblah.

EPISODE 10: A SYMPHONY OF ANGER

This week, Nina and Sheela discuss pension, education, radical empathy, self-care, anger, and risks of POC visibility.

Links:

Self Care series (The Hairpin)

The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism (Audre Lorde, 1981)

Thanks to Doctors & Engineers for letting us showcase their track "Karle Pyar Karle (Love Imperative)" this episode. Go check out their debut EP at doctorsandengineers.bandcamp.com. Our opening track is "Laung Gawacha" by Nucleya. Original music in this episode by Michael Dwan Singh.

SPECIAL EPISODE: SHORT PERSONAL HISTORIES OF ORGANIZING WHILE BROWN (FT. TAZ AHMED)

So... here we are. What next? Nina and Sheela discuss some options for taking action after the election. (But remember... always google first.)

EPISODE 9: MAKE EMPATHY VIRAL

This week, Nina and Sheela discuss fragile masculinity, recent strikes at Harvard, election nonsense, and substance abuse in Punjab. 

Check out our recent interview with The Aerogram -- it was a lot of fun: goo.gl/Wl2m9V

Tomorrow is Election Day! Go to http://rockthevote.com or Google to find your polling location. Here's a link to ACLU's guide to what to do if you're faced with voter intimidation at the polls: www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/w…voter-intimidation

Thanks to Young Cardamom & HAB for letting us showcase their super danceable track, "Kanda (Chap Chap)." Give the rest of their tunes a listen.

EPISODE 8: WE’RE USUALLY THE VILLAIN

This week, Nina and Sheela discuss voting, local politics, regional cinema, and representation in film.

Want to learn more about Hindie Rock Fest 2016? Come join Sheela and Nina in Cambridge, MA from October 14 to 15! Tickets and details here.

Thanks to Anik Khan for letting us showcase his new single, “Cleopatra.” Give the rest of his tunes a listen at http://soundcloud.com/anikkhanmusic.

Other links coming soon!

EPISODE 7: ACADEMICS ANONYMOUS

This week, Nina and Sheela discuss problematic insurance, lady politicians versus the patriarchy, and graduate school advice. 

Want to learn more about Hindie Rock Fest 2016? Come join Sheela and Nina in Cambridge, MA this October 14 to 15! (Nina is performing!) Tickets and details here. 

Thanks to Ashni Dave for letting us showcase her amazing track "Honey." Give her other tunes a listen.

Other links:

Phoebe and Roxane Gay Toast to the Good Life (Sooo Many White Guys)

Rumors and Creeps (Call Your Girlfriend)

EPISODE 6: BIG TITS SHOULDN’T EQUAL BIG MONEY

This week, Nina and Sheela discuss women's bodies as an intersection of culture and violence, bras as a public health and socioeconomic issue, and recommendations to wrap up your summer.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses violence against women. We recommend skipping the first twelve minutes if you need to!

Major gratitude to Boston-based Mini Dresses for letting us showcase their amazing track "Just Go." Give their other rad tunes a little love at minidresses.bandcamp.com.

EPISODE 5: THE TRUMP OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

Nina and Sheela break down the Missouri primaries; discuss the intersection of politics, health, and statistics in Tanzania; and shed some light on Rodrigo Duterte, the Trump of Southeast Asia.

Learn more about the music of Bi Kidude and Siti Binti Saad here: www.hum2.leidenuniv.nl/verba-african…rformance.htm. More cool links forthcoming!

SPECIAL EPISODE 1: ALL OF OUR LIBERATION IS TIED TO ONE ANOTHER 

Nina is hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro like the boss that she is. This gave me a chance to talk to friend of the show, Purvi Patel.

We discuss anti-blackness, how it looks in our community, and why this matters.

For more self education, here are some cool resources.

The Karma of Brown Folk, Vijay Prashad

Joothan, Om Prakash Valmiki

Letters for Black Lives

Resources for non-Black Asians on Anti-Blackness

EPISODE 4: ORIGIN STORIES

Our second international episode! Nina and Sheela share their origin story, talk through awful photo id laws, discuss the recent SCOTUS decision, and reflect on the politics of food.

Links Links Links

Lady friends hosting podcasts

Good Muslim Bad Muslim

Chai Tea Party

2 Dope Queens 

Another Round

Call Your Girlfriend

Kitchen Sisters

Chewing

She Does 

Photo ID 

Frontline

Senate Filibuster During 2016 Municipal Elections

Washington Post

S/O and thank to The Shadow Notes (FB) for sharing their music

SCOTUS

Whole Women’s Health v Hellerstedt (SCOTUS Blog)

Utah v. Strieff (Slate)

Voisine v. US (SCOTUS Blog)

UT v. Fischer (Reveal Podcast Episode) 

Resources for non-Black Asians on Anti-Blackness

BuzzFeed India’s Mango Dishes 

Gravy Podcast

EPISODE 3: MY LOVE IS POLITICAL

Nina and Sheela discuss the violence in Orlando, reflect on interpolitical dating, and try to understand the disturbing spate of murders in Bangladesh.

Even Gawker gets it -- The Democrats Are Boldly Fighting For a Bad, Stupid Bill

Dear Sugar episode When Politics Is Personal: Romantic Partners

Shilpa Rao’s Facebook and her album, Suno 

Blackhosted podcasts

For Colored Nerds

2 Dope Queens

Another Round

The Read

Bodega Boys

Timeline of violent attacks (Al Jazeera)

Interactive timeline of strikes in Bangladesh (Al Jazeera)